The Legend of Banh Chung (Chung Cake)
One of the most beloved Vietnamese legends explains the origin of the square sticky rice cake (banh chung) traditionally eaten during Tet, the Lunar New Year. The story dates to the reign of the 6th Hung King, who sought to choose his successor by asking his many sons to bring him the most valuable offering. While the princes scoured the land for rare treasures, the 18th prince, Lang Lieu — raised by a poor mother and skilled in farming — had a dream in which a spirit told him that nothing was more precious than rice, which sustains all life. Following the spirit's guidance, Lang Lieu created